Printer shows as removable drive

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  1. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
       #1

    Printer shows as removable drive


    I have an Epsom A810 printer, connected to desktop PC by USB.

    The printer has a USB port for loading pictures to the printer from a thumb drive. Thing is, this port makes the printer show up in Disk Management and My PC as a removable drive.

    But it is not a drive at all. I can't access the files on the thumb drive through the printer, so it functions as a phantom drive.

    Does anyone know of a method to stop Windows from recognizing the printer as a removable drive?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 151
    Windows 10
       #2

    Yes, Windows uses that port as a removable drive. The same thing happen if the printer have a card reader on it.

    Try to change drive letter and path... for the printer, give it a lower letter like "P", hope it'll working again.

    To stop Windows from recognizing as a removable drive? Can't find any tricks for that.
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  3. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Yes, I always give that "drive" the letter W, even on Windows 7. That doesn't change anything.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 3,264
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit Version 21H2
       #4

    This is normal, my Epson has a USB and a MS/SD slot and they both show in Disk Management and This PC with 2 Drive letters. It will only show in both places when Printer is on and only will show in This PC because i have it selected in File Explorer options to show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives.
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  5. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks. I keep checking - to see if anyone has come up with a workaround.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 3,264
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit Version 21H2
       #6

    TV2 said:
    Thanks. I keep checking - to see if anyone has come up with a workaround.
    Your Welcome. Not sure i completely understand then what the problem is, this is normal for it to show up this way, did you check File Explorer options if do not want it to show in This PC ? Do you want it to show in This PC ? Mine show as Drives in This PC with a printer icon only when printer is on, same in Disk Management without an icon of course.
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  7. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Not a problem, just an annoyance.

    To me that printer is not a drive and shouldn't be treated as such. Would love to be able to have it ignored (without ticking the box to tell Windows to ignore ALL empty drives).

    It doesn't cause any harm and I'm good at ignoring it, but I always want COMPLETE CONTROL!
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 3,264
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit Version 21H2
       #8

    TV2 said:
    Not a problem, just an annoyance.

    To me that printer is not a drive and shouldn't be treated as such. Would love to be able to have it ignored (without ticking the box to tell Windows to ignore ALL empty drives).

    It doesn't cause any harm and I'm good at ignoring it, but I always want COMPLETE CONTROL!
    Only annoyance would be where you can not hide it, in Disk Management. As said mine only shows when Printer is on and it is considered like a drive, USB Drive and Media Drive (MS/SD) , so your Printer has a drive.

    I have a card reader that shows 4 in Disk management without anything in them and 4 in This PC because i chose to show Hidden Drives. So you do have control over This PC and truthfully it was always like this with other OS's.

    Example, hook a Digital camera up, shows as a drive, some Cell phones do the same.

    You can never control everything, even in life
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  9. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
    Thread Starter
       #9
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 3,264
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit Version 21H2
       #10

    TV2 said:
    Hey,More power to ya ! Good luck !
      My Computer


 

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